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Express guide into barcodes & barcode scanners

Find out what are barcodes, the main types of barcode scanners and how barcodes have changed manufacturing and retail http://www.mrpeasy.com

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EXPRESS GUIDE INTO<br />

BARCODES AND BARCODE<br />

SCANNERS


BRIEF HISTORY OF BARCODES<br />

Invented in 1948 by Joseph Woodland, <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> have seen the mass market only in the 70’s.<br />

Woodland’s Idea was to mark products with zebra-striped code which could be easily read by<br />

machines and provide price and description of the item.


WHAT IS A BARCODE?<br />

Barcode a simple code in the form of pattern of parallel lines, sometimes with numbers, which can be<br />

easily read by a machine.<br />

Before the <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> the check out process required manually writing down or typing the product code,<br />

while the <strong>barcode</strong> can be simply scanned in a matter of seconds.<br />

Imagine typing down a 12-digit code manually for 500 products and doing the same with a <strong>barcode</strong><br />

scanner – that is why this technology is so revolutionary.


1D VS 2D BARCODES<br />

As any technology, the <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> have improved with time to become even more efficient. There are<br />

two types of <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong>: 1D, or linear and 2D.<br />

1D<br />

The most widely used <strong>barcode</strong> type is 1D linear <strong>barcode</strong> in UPC (Universal Product Code) format with<br />

a 12-digit number. There are different variations of the linear <strong>barcode</strong> which are more popular in<br />

specific organizations or governmental institutions, like US mail, where a POSTNET <strong>barcode</strong> is<br />

commonly used.


1D VS 2D BARCODES<br />

2D<br />

2D <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> represent a more complex solution which can store much more data, including text, but<br />

often require a more advanced <strong>barcode</strong> scanner. 1D Scanners cannot read data from 2D <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong>,<br />

while 2D <strong>scanners</strong> can usually read both formats.<br />

One of the most popular <strong>barcode</strong> of 2D format is the QR (Quick Response) code which is often used<br />

for advertising purposes since it can be easily read by a mobile device and can contain the full URL<br />

address of a website or any other text, since the capacity of QR code makes 4296 alphanumeric<br />

characters.


BARCODE SCANNERS<br />

There are different types of <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> starting with primitive 1D <strong>scanners</strong> which can read only<br />

linear <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong>, ending with 2D <strong>scanners</strong> or universal mobile devices which can scan any code and<br />

transfer it to the system wirelessly.<br />

Despite a common belief, <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> do not store any data, but only read the number which<br />

is represented by the <strong>barcode</strong> and instantly transfer this data <strong>into</strong> the system.<br />

This means that <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> cannot work on their own and must be connected to a system<br />

where the data is stored and can be easily accessed and manipulated.


WHY USE BARCODES IN<br />

MANUFACTURING?<br />

The simple answer would be – to increase efficiency, drastically – this is especially true if you deal<br />

with large amounts of products.<br />

Barcodes allow more efficiency even in the production stage where it can mark completed products<br />

with unique serial number so that each specific item could be easily tracked and traced<br />

Modern ERP/MRP systems, such as MRPEasy, also offer <strong>barcode</strong> scanner functionality.<br />

Besides that, MRPEasy is among the first ERP/MRP solutions which allow to use your mobile<br />

device on Android or iOS as a fully-functional D1 and D2 <strong>barcode</strong> scanner by simply taking a picture<br />

of the <strong>barcode</strong>.<br />

This amazing feature might put an end to traditional <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> as we know them.


MRPEasy Cloud ERP/MRP Solution<br />

• Production planning and reporting<br />

• Supply chain management<br />

• Stock management<br />

• CRM<br />

• Managerial statistics, business intelligence<br />

• Integration with online accounting solutions<br />

Easy to deploy and use! Visit us @ www.mrpeasy.com

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